InterviewThomas PesquetDieppois at heart

Interview with Thomas Pesquet

Meet the astronaut

Just as he likes to share photos of Normandy taken from the International Space Station, Thomas Pesquet, soon to be 45, is not short of fond memories of his youth in the Seine-Maritime region. And the astronaut has lost none of his interest in the region. He tells us a few anecdotes and the pleasure he takes in returning to our shores to recharge his batteries…

Can you tell us about your ties to this region?

They’re very strong… I spent the first 20 years of my life in Seine-Maritime. I went to high school in Dieppe, played basketball at the Maison des Sports, played beach volleyball with friends on the Dieppe beach… A large part of my family lives in the region and I like to come back twice a year to visit them. Last summer, I even invited my friends to join me on a
to join me for a cycling trip in the Eawy forest, a great opportunity to show them the area.

What still draws you to the Dieppoise region?

My family, of course. But I’m also looking for serenity. There’s this hectic life, where I’m constantly on the move. And then there are the places I know by heart. When I return to the region, as the train moves on, the landscapes and stations pass by, the closer I get, the more I realize that I’m calming down. This feeling of peace does me good.

What are your favorite addresses, your must-sees?

The region is really rich. I like to come back with more curiosity than when I lived here, with new eyes. I rediscover a lot of things. The Château de Miromesnil, the pretty village of Varengeville and so on. When I was young, my friends and I often got together at La Potinière. This café, this quiet shady square, was a must before going to the beach.

What inspires you about these landscapes, between land and sea?

My grandparents were farmers, so my first inclination was for the land. Today, it’s the sea that attracts me. My next step in Dieppe would be to try my hand at sailing. I’ve just come back from two weeks sailing in Tahiti, but I’ve never sailed in my home port. I’m going to remedy that the next time I’m here.

What are your future projects?

The missions to the moon and, at the end of October, beginning of November, the rehearsal launches with the other astronauts. My aim is to return to the moon, but in a more lasting way. Not just to lay down a flag, but to go further than that.